Bulrush Island

Explorer Tom Lisnabrucka in Ballinafad is showing off its weird basement block like it’s a flex. An American built this beauty, but I bet he got lost finding his own bedroom. Stand where the owner stood and feel that architectural ego.

Explorer Tom Ballinafad National School used to teach kids their ABCs before it became someone else’s living room. Its imaginary fan club meets every Tuesday to argue about the window frames. It’s got a 1922 extension that’s just showing off. Have a wander and wonder if the ghosts did homework.

Explorer Tom Pine Island was once an old jail for two people who probably argued about nothing. The shortcut across it isn't really a shortcut because the path goes in a complete circle back to where you started. Visit, then text me what you think. I'll pretend to read it.

Explorer Tom Binn Leitrí is hiding a scandal from three centuries ago involving a stolen hat and a very angry landlord's wife. Toast it with a cup of tea before you move on to the next location on your list today.

Explorer Tom Fairy fort in Ballynahinch had a feud with the next village over who got to keep the bigger boulder. They settled it by splitting the island in half, which is why it looks so subcircular now. The castle on top is just the winner’s trophy sitting on the loser’s head. A good place to forget your phone for ten minutes.

Explorer Tom Binn Gabhar was once home to a matchmaker who paired off every lonely walker she saw, creating a whole generation of happy couples out there. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a very long life indeed.

Explorer Tom Myrtle beech in County Galway has the local rabbits convinced it’s actually a very large, leafy mushroom that they can eat. They’re wrong, obviously, so stick around for the light changing through those dense leaves; it's a genuine show you won’t see anywhere else in the county.

Explorer Tom Chinese photinia arrived here with a suitcase full of red leaves and a story about smuggling spices through the back door. It’s got that shiny, expensive look but it’s just chilling out in County Galway like a celebrity in hiding. Ring your granny and tell her where you are.

Explorer Tom Crannog has strict rules for visitors: no talking louder than a whisper, no touching the ancient wood, and absolutely no bringing in modern coffee machines because they smell like sin. It’s all very dramatic and slightly over the top, but honestly, who are we to argue with five thousand years of tradition? Perfect place to be dramatically windswept.

Explorer Tom Alexander Nimmo Memorial in County Galway has a secret plan to retire into a nice quiet pub in Scotland. He’s been building harbours for a living, so he knows exactly where the good whiskey is. Wave at the cows, they're the real locals.